Articles tagged with Ban
Anna Adams Appointed New Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of Crown Law Office
1 week ago | 128 viewsAnna Adams has been appointed Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office, bringing 28 years of extensive public law experience and strong private-sector leadership. She has acted as lead counsel in over 100 significant cases and held senior roles at Meredith Connell and PHARMAC. Her appointment, effective from 11 May 2026 for five years, is praised for her judgment, integrity, and ability to provide strong leadership in this key constitutional role.
Tags: Anna Adams Judith Collins Crown Law Office Bankside Chambers Meredith Connell PHARMAC Yale Law SchoolDelivering Real Results: Strengthening Pacific Communities in New Zealand 2025
2 weeks ago | 142 viewsThe speech emphasizes the New Zealand Government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of Pacific communities through practical strategies focused on safety, education, health, housing, and economic opportunity, highlighting successful initiatives like the Delivering for Pacific Communities Strategy and targeted programs such as Alo Vaka and the Pacific Healthy Homes Initiative. It acknowledges the vital role of Pacific youth and leaders in shaping the future, stresses the importance of partnership and trust between government and Pacific peoples, and reassures that the Ministry for Pacific Peoples will maintain a strong voice within government without structural changes this term. Overall, the goal is to strengthen Pacific families and communities to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive New Zealand.
Tags: Reverend Hiueni MC Fuimaono Sir Brian Roche Dame Winnie Laban Aupito William Sio Alfred Ngaro Minister Potaka Sir Bill English Lyonah TylerGovernment’s Flexible Fund Opens Applications for 770 New Social Homes in NZ
3 weeks ago | 175 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the first round of applications for the Flexible Fund, aiming to create up to 770 new social homes and affordable rentals in high-need areas by supporting community and iwi Māori housing providers. This fund replaces previous fragmented programs with a targeted, data-driven approach to deliver the right homes in priority locations, emphasizing value for money, local demand, and timely delivery. It forms part of a broader Housing Investment Plan and reforms to boost social housing, reduce emergency housing reliance, and ensure stable, affordable housing options for vulnerable families.
Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka New Zealand Flexible Fund social housing affordable rentals Kāinga Ora Housing Investment Plan iwi Māori Ministry of Housing and Urban DevelopmentNew Methamphetamine Contamination Rules for Rental Properties Effective April 2026
3 weeks ago | 311 viewsNew regulations addressing methamphetamine contamination in rental properties will take effect from 16 April 2026, establishing clear, evidence-based thresholds and processes to ensure consistency for landlords and tenants. Properties with residue above 15µg/100cm² must be decontaminated, and if levels exceed 30µg/100cm², tenancy termination options become available, with professional testing aligned to New Zealand Standard 8510:2017 required in certain cases. Developed with expert advice, these rules aim to protect tenant health while minimizing landlord costs, with guidance provided through MBIE’s Tenancy Services website.
Tags: Tama Potaka Peter Gluckman methamphetamine contamination rental properties New Zealand Standard 8510:2017 Ministry of Housing and Urban Development MBIE Tenancy Services New Zealand Institute for Public Health Forensic ScienceNew Zealand Boosts Ukraine Aid by $8M and Expands Sanctions on Russia
3 weeks ago | 175 viewsNew Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance to Ukraine, including $5 million for humanitarian aid and $3 million for energy resilience and reconstruction, raising its total aid to $45 million over four years. The government is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting oil price caps, shadow fleet vessels, and entities from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea that support Russia’s military efforts. These measures aim to curb Russia’s war capabilities and demonstrate New Zealand’s ongoing solidarity with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Tags: New Zealand Ukraine Russia Winston Peters Belarus Iran North Korea World Bank sanctions humanitarian assistanceNew Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport Set to Launch in 2026
4 weeks ago | 244 viewsThe Government has introduced legislation to create the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), consolidating housing, transport, urban development, and environmental functions into one agency. This involves disestablishing the Ministry for the Environment and transferring its statutory responsibilities to MCERT, which will provide integrated advice to address economic and environmental challenges. MCERT is scheduled to be established by April 2026 and operational by July 2026, with a chief executive appointment forthcoming.
Tags: Chris Bishop Penny Simmonds Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport MCERT Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Ministry of Transport Department of Internal Affairs Environment Act RMA ReformGovernment Lowers Auckland Housing Capacity Requirement to 1.6 Million Homes
4 weeks ago | 268 viewsThe Government will amend the Resource Management Act to reduce Auckland Council’s minimum housing capacity requirement under Plan Change 120 from over 2 million to 1.6 million homes, allowing more targeted growth around the city centre, rapid transit stations, and metropolitan centres. This change provides Auckland Council greater flexibility to respond to public feedback and focus development where infrastructure supports it, while still meeting national urban development policies. Additionally, the Government will investigate and potentially adjust planning controls in Auckland’s CBD to unlock further housing and business potential, ensuring growth aligns with economic and liveability goals.
Tags: Chris Bishop Auckland Council Resource Management Act Plan Change 120 Medium Density Residential Standards City Rail Link Auckland Unitary Plan National Policy Statement on Urban Development Eden Park New Zealand GovernmentIndependent Review Launched on NZ Monetary Policy Response to Covid-19
1 month ago | 262 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched an independent review to evaluate the monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to identify lessons for future major events. The review will focus on the Reserve Bank's decisions, communication, use of additional tools like the Large Scale Asset Purchase programme, and coordination with fiscal policy, with monetary policy experts Athanasios Orphanides and David Archer appointed to lead it. The findings are expected by August 2026 and will be publicly released in September 2026.
Tags: Nicola Willis Athanasios Orphanides David Archer Reserve Bank of New Zealand Monetary Policy Committee Large Scale Asset Purchase Official Cash Rate New Zealand government Bank for International SettlementsNew Trans-Tasman Standards Agreement Boosts NZ Businesses and Innovation
1 month ago | 245 viewsStandards New Zealand and Standards Australia have signed a new agreement to align trans-Tasman standards, enhancing product quality, safety, and reducing costs for businesses and consumers. The agreement supports innovation and economic growth by adopting international standards in areas like AI, data management, and cybersecurity, while removing fees and red tape to boost competitiveness and digital trade. This collaboration, endorsed by both governments and industry stakeholders, strengthens New Zealand’s role in joint standards development and fosters a modern, efficient regulatory environment.
Tags: Scott Simpson Luxon Anthony Albanese Standards New Zealand Standards Australia Commerce and Consumer Affairs artificial intelligence cybersecurity digital tradeGovernment Invests $4M for Bisset Road Social Housing Infrastructure in Kaikohe
1 month ago | 277 viewsThe Government is investing $4 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support essential infrastructure for the Bisset Road social housing project in Kaikohe, which will provide up to 100 affordable rental homes with rents capped at 80 percent of market rates for 25 years. The project, led by Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi Limited, aims to create local jobs, apprenticeships, and strengthen regional supply chains by using local timber and contractors. Additional funding includes a $29.7 million grant from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and a $13.6 million loan from Community Finance, with infrastructure work underway and the entire development expected to finish by 2027.
Tags: Shane Jones Tama Potaka Ngāpuhi Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngāpuhi Regional Infrastructure Fund Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Community Finance Kaikohe Bisset RoadOpen Electricity: Helping New Zealanders Find the Best Power Plans and Save Money
2 months ago | 472 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching Open Electricity to help households and small businesses easily compare and choose the best power plans, enhancing competition and transparency in the electricity market. This initiative, following Open Banking regulations, will provide secure access to individual electricity consumption data, enabling consumers to optimize energy use, save money, and make informed decisions about energy-related investments. Changes will begin in September 2024 and be completed by mid-2027, benefiting around two million households and 165,000 small businesses with improved choice, innovation, and cost savings.
Tags: Open Electricity New Zealand Simon Watts Scott Simpson electricity market power plans energy savings Customer and Product Data Act Open Banking electricity consumptionNew Crown Directors Appointed to Airways and Kiwi Group Capital Boards
3 months ago | 425 viewsState Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Mayurie Gunatilaka to the Airways Board and Susan Petersen to the Kiwi Group Capital Board, both for three-year terms. Gunatilaka brings extensive infrastructure governance experience to support Airways' air navigation services, while Petersen, also Chair of the Kiwibank Board, is the first KGC director to hold a position on Kiwibank’s Board, enhancing strategic alignment. These appointments aim to strengthen governance and leadership in critical sectors, with KGC adopting overlapping board memberships to boost strategic objectives while maintaining independent oversight.
Tags: Simeon Brown Mayurie Gunatilaka Susan Petersen Airways Board Kiwi Group Capital Kiwibank Board State Owned Enterprises Crown directors governance infrastructure planningStrong Q3 Economic Growth Boosts Confidence Ahead of Christmas, Says Finance Minister
3 months ago | 586 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis welcomed the strong 1.1% economic growth in the third quarter, driven by 14 of 16 sectors, signaling a positive turnaround after challenging years. Key job-rich sectors like manufacturing, construction, and business services showed significant growth, alongside increases in exports and investment, indicating promising future job prospects and higher incomes. With GDP per capita rising 0.9% and forecasts predicting accelerated growth and lower unemployment next year, the government’s strategy to strengthen the economy appears effective.
Tags: economy growth Nicola Willis Finance Minister Stats NZ Treasury Reserve Bank manufacturing sector construction business services GDP per capitaGovernment to Monetise Chorus Debt, Funding New Infrastructure Projects in 2026
3 months ago | 401 viewsThe Government will monetise its debt in Chorus, recovering funds earlier than the original 2036 repayment schedule to invest in capital projects like schools, hospitals, and roads. This decision follows the completion of the fibre broadband rollout, funded by $1.336 billion in interest-free loans to Chorus between 2012 and 2023, with $170 million repaid in 2025. The monetisation process will begin in early 2026, with proceeds ring-fenced for Budget 2026 infrastructure needs, and will not affect Chorus’s ownership or services.
Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Government Chorus telecommunications fibre broadband New Zealand monetisation infrastructure Budget 2026Reserve Bank Eases Capital Requirements to Boost NZ Bank Competition and Lending
3 months ago | 463 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to ease some capital requirements imposed on banks in 2019, including adjustments to risk weights. These changes aim to enhance competition, particularly benefiting smaller banks and increasing lending to key sectors like agriculture. The revised requirements maintain prudence while promoting a more balanced approach between risk management and fostering competition, with gradual implementation planned.
Tags: Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Finance Minister New Zealand banking sector capital requirements risk weights competition lending agriculture sector